OCR

16
They soon came abreast with the build-
ing.
It was a saloon and dance-house of an
order none too high.
Just such a place as would prove tl1e
chief attraction in some thriving camp.
After taking a survey of the outside,
the two sworn partners made bold to fol-
low the lead of Braun and go in.
They found it a place where the air
was blue with smoke, where two bars
seemed to be doing a rushing business,
and where music was ‘ striving to be
heard.
In the fore part of the long roo1n were
tables and chairs, and beyond these was
a clear space for dancing-proved by the
fact that dancing was then going on; and
still beyond were card tables.
And here was their man.
He had stopped at one of the bars,
evidently to take measures toward keep-
ing up his degree of drunk.
As it seemed to be the order of the
place for everybody to take something at
the bar, Kris-Kross and By-By became
Romans for the time being and followed
suit.
VVhile they were drinking another man
came forward to the bar from the direc-
tion of the dancers.
He stopped near Braun.
A large fellow, he had a full beard,
and he gave a glance at Braun as of
recognition.
Receiving what he had ordered, he
turned his back toward Braun and leaned
against the bar while he proceeded to
dispose of his drink.
This the two parters saw, but thought
nothing of it then.
however, Braun
Presently, having
downed his potion, was about to turn
away when he caught sight of this man.
He gave a start at once, straightened
and stiffened himself up while he took a
closer inspection, and then, as if satisfied
DIAMOND DICK, JR.
RIGHTS A WRONG.
fully, he leaned forward and slapped the
man on the shoulder.
The man turned instantly, as if angry.
“What are ye doin’ ?” he demanded.
“Want to 111ake me spill my stilff?"
“Don’t ye know nobody?” queried
Braun, holding out his hand. “I’m Orry
Braun of Sunfish.”
“Well, I don‘t know you if you are,"
said the fellow. “You look like a sun-
fish, no mistake. You’ll be a shad, ef
you git any more stuff up your nose. ”
“Gewhiz! VVon’t shake hands with a
feller, hey? Want ter act sorter nppish,
do ye? All right, go et, old feller. I
know you all right, though, Julius
Reddy; ye can’t foolish me, you bet!"
“You don’t know what you are talking
about.”
“I don’t, hey?
self.
Don’t you fool yer-
I was goin’ to ask you ter drink to
my good luck wi’ me, but now I ber durn
ef I will! Iknowed you them two or
three days you spent up thar at Sunfish,
and I owe ye a ’pology thet I was goin‘
ter offer now."
Braun was holding fast to the bar and
was swaying and ducking while he was
speaking.
“Well, have your own way about it,"
said the other. “Make your ’pology if
you want to and then cork up. About
the easiest way to choke you off, I
guess.”
“I guess et is, fur fair. I offer ye
‘pology, and hyer and now I hmnbly
make et, When Ido a wrong, I allus
like ter make et right, and I heve done a
wrong ter you, Mr. Reddy.”
“My name isn’t Reddy, though.”
“No? Wull, no matter about a little
thing like that. You are the man all
right; I know ye well. Say, take some-
thin’, won’t ye?"
“No, nothing, thank ye. Say your
say and let me go. I ’cept yer ’pology,
whatever it may be, without the trouble
of your stating it, so call it all square.”